Smokable spiral insert system including flavor releasing mechanisms

ABSTRACT

An insert system for use with a smokable (e.g., such as a pre-rolled or empty cone) including an internal spiral and cutout for securing one or more flavor releasing mechanisms (e.g., flavored “click balls”) and for use with a smokable item (e.g., a pre-roll cone, an empty cone, a pre-rolled or hand-rolled cigarette, etc.) is provided. The insert system is formed by rolling a section of suitable material to form an elongate member with internal volume with a transverse partition. The transverse partition includes a cutout to receive and secure a flavor releasing mechanism therein. The insert system may then be coupled with a smokable to serve as the smokable&#39;s mouthpiece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/583,039 filed Jan. 24, 2022, now U.S. Pat. No.11,395,508, the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporatedherein by reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to smokable pre-rolls, including smokablepre-rolls with embedded flavor releasing mechanisms.

BACKGROUND

Ready-to-smoke smokables come in many forms and shapes, ranging fromcigarettes to pre-rolls (e.g., pre-rolled cones as shown in FIG. 1 ).For those who wish to form his/her own smokable, empty cones areavailable into which the user adds his/her own smokable materials. Ineither case, the smokable oftentimes includes an insert system (such asa filter or crutch) that serves as a mouthpiece at one end of thesmokable.

A new phenomenon is happening within the smokables industry involvingthe inclusion of flavor releasing mechanisms within the smokable insertsystem. In many cases, the flavor releasing mechanisms include smallspheres filled with a flavoring substance (also known as “click balls”)that are designed to be squeezed by the user to effectively explode andrelease the flavoring. However, it is oftentimes costly and laborintensive to place and secure the flavor releasing mechanism properlywithin the insert during the manufacturing process.

Accordingly, there is a need for an insert system that includes an easyto use system and method to incorporate one or more flavor releasingmechanisms into a smokable insert to maximize the user's smokingexperience.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the presentinvention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes betterunderstood when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which like reference characters designate the same orsimilar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

FIG. 1 show aspects of a smokable cone (prior art);

FIGS. 2-5 show aspects of a section for forming an insert systemaccording to exemplary embodiments hereof;

FIG. 6 show aspects of a flavor releasing mechanism according toexemplary embodiments hereof;

FIGS. 7-13 show aspects of a folded section including a flavor releasingmechanism for forming an insert system according to exemplaryembodiments hereof;

FIG. 14 show aspects of a folded section including a flavor releasingmechanism for forming an insert system according to exemplaryembodiments hereof; and

FIG. 15 shows aspects of a smokable cone configured with an insertsystem according to exemplary embodiments hereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the purposes of this specification, the terms below will mean thefollowing.

Cigarette generally refers to a smokable comprising a thin cylinder offinely cut tobacco, cannabis, other types of leaves, flowers, herbs,and/or other smokable materials, rolled in a suitable paper for smoking.

Cone generally refers to a conical- or frustum-shaped cigarette (or“joint”) wherein the shape flares from a smaller diameter proximal baseto a larger diameter distal tip (see FIG. 1 ). Cones may typicallycomprise paper, hemp, palm leaves, rice, cotton cellulose, glycerin,and/or other suitable materials.

Pre-roll generally refers to a cigarette or cone that has been formedprior to its sale and is therefore consumer-ready (i.e., a consumer isnot required to fill or otherwise form the smokable).

Empty cone refers to an empty cone into which a consumer may placesmokable materials (e.g., tobacco, cannabis, etc.) to form a smokablecone.

Insert system generally refers to a mouthpiece or tip coupled with acone or cigarette (see FIG. 1 ) that acts to support the proximal end ofthe smokable (e.g., the end that is pressed against one's lips forsmoking). An insert system may include a “crutch” formed of thick paper,glass or other materials, a filter (e.g., a cotton filter), other typesof insert systems, and any combinations thereof. Insert systems may beused with cigarettes, cones (pre-rolled, empty, etc.), rolling papers,and other types of smokable items.

In general, and according to exemplary embodiments hereof, an insertsystem 10 including an internal spiral and cutout for securing flavorreleasing mechanisms (e.g., flavored “click balls”) and for use with asmokable item (e.g., a pre-roll cone, an empty cone, a pre-rolled orhand-rolled cigarette, etc.) is provided. In some embodiments, theinsert system with an internal spiral and cutout is provided as astandalone item for use in pre-rolling and/or hand rolling a cone orcigarette. In this case, flavor releasing mechanisms may be insertedinto the insert system's internal spiral and cutout and the insertsystem may be coupled with the proximal end of a rolling paper or coneto form the smokable item. In other embodiments, the insert systemincludes (e.g., is coupled with) an empty cone and is provided to theconsumer. In this case, it may be preferable that the insert systeminclude flavor releasing mechanisms already placed within the insertsystem's internal spiral and cutout and ready for use by the consumer.The consumer then may fill the empty cone with smokable materials toform a smokable cone wherein the insert system is used as the cone'smouthpiece. Any combinations of these embodiments also are contemplated.

In one exemplary embodiment hereof as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 , theinsert system 10 includes a section 100 and one or more flavor releasingmechanisms 200. As described herein, the section 100 is formed into aninsert and the flavor releasing mechanism 200 is placed within theinsert to form the insert system 10.

Section 100

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the section 100 includes a left side 102, aright side 104, a top side 106, a bottom side 108, a front 110, and aback 112. As described in other sections, the section 100 may be rolledupon itself to form an elongate member with an inner volume 113 (seeFIG. 14 ) adapted to receive, contain, and secure one or more flavorreleasing mechanisms 200.

The section 100 may comprise a flat piece of paper, cardboard, plastic,silicon, rubber, leaves, composite material(s), any other suitablematerial(s), and any combinations thereof. The section 100 is preferablya thin type of suitable material that is preferably non-toxic,flavorless, and burnable without adding any residual flavor to thesmokable. In addition, the section 100 also is preferably porous so thatit may disperse the flavoring released by the one or more flavorreleasing mechanisms 200 evenly (however, this may not be necessary).

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 2 , the section 100 is generallyrectangular in shape and may be used to form a generally cylindricalinsert system 10. In other embodiments as shown in FIG. 3 , the section100 is shaped as an opened frustrum wherein the shape includes aleftward slanting left side 102, and a rightward slanting right side104, a convex top side 106, and a concave bottom side 110. In thisembodiment, the section 100 is used to form a generally frustum-shapedinsert system 10. It is understood that the shapes described above aremeant for demonstration and that the section 100 may be formed as anysuitable shape (e.g., trapezoidal, etc.).

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the section 10 includesa cutout 114 (also referred to as an aperture) in the front 110 andextending to the back 112. In some embodiments, the cutout 114 includesa generally circular shape, however, other suitable shapes also may beused. For example, as shown in FIG. 4 , the cutout 14 may be rectangularor square shaped. In another example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the cutout 14may be formed as a parallelogram. It is understood that the cutout 14may be formed as any additional suitable shape, e.g., as an openedfrustum, a trapezoid, an oval, pill-shaped, as other shapes, and as anycombinations thereof. As will be described in other sections, the shapeand size of the cutout 114 is preferably chosen to correspond to theshape and size of the flavor releasing mechanism(s) 200 that may besecured within the cutout out 114 once the insert system 10 is formedusing the section 100.

In some embodiments as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the section 100 includesa midpoint M_(P) located midway between the left side 102 and the rightside 104. In some embodiments the cutout 114 is preferably locatedbetween the right side 104 and the midpoint M_(P). It also is understoodthat the cutout 114 may be located between the left side 102 and themidpoint M_(P), depending on the direction that the section 100 may berolled as described in other sections.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the cutout 114 islocated at a distance D1 from the right side 104. For the purposes ofthis specification, the portion of the section 100 between the cutout114 and the right side 104 having a width of D1 will be referred to asthe first side portion 116, the portion extending from left side of thecutout 114 to the right side of the cutout will be referred to as secondside portion 117, and the portion of the section 100 including the firstand second side portions 116, 117 (and the cutout 114) will be referredto as the third side portion 118 (with the third side portion 118 havinga width equivalent to the first side portion 116 plus the width of thesecond side portion 117).

In some embodiments, the width D1 of the first side portion 116 ischosen to facilitate the rolling of the section 100 while securing aflavor releasing mechanism within the cutout 114. For example, the widthD1 may be chosen to be about 0.1 to 3 times the diameter of the cutout114 (and/or the flavor ball 202), and preferably about 0.2 to 2 timesthe diameter of the cutout 114 (and/or the flavor ball 202), and morepreferably about 0.3 to 1.5 times the diameter of the cutout 114 (and/orthe flavor ball 202), and more preferably about 0.5 to 1 times thediameter of the cutout 114 (and/or the flavor ball 202). It also iscontemplated that the cutout 114 extend all the way to the right side104.

In some embodiments, the cutout 114 is located about midway between thetop side 106 and the bottom side 108, but it is understood that thecutout 114 may be located at any suitable location between the top side106 and the bottom side 108 (e.g., towards the top side 106 or towardsthe bottom side 108).

It is preferable that the size and shape of the cutout 114 generallymatches the size and shape of the flavor releasing mechanism 200 (asdescribed in other sections) so that the flavor releasing mechanism 200fits within the cutout 114. For example, if the flavor releasingmechanism 200 is spherically shaped, it is preferable that the cutout114 is circular with a diameter that generally matches the diameter ofthe mechanism 200. In any event, depending on the shape of the flavorreleasing mechanism 200 and the corresponding cutout 114, it ispreferable that the height and width of the cutout 114 generally matchesthe height and width of the flavor releasing mechanism 200 so that theflavor releasing mechanism 200 may fit within the cutout 114.

In some embodiments, the height of the cutout 116 is about 1%-50% theheight of the section 100, and preferably about 3%-30% the height of thesection 100, and more preferably about 10%-20% the height of the section100, and more preferably about 12.5% the height of the section 100.

It is understood that the section 100 may include more than one cutout114 (e.g., a second cutout 114 above or below a first cutout 114) thatmay be adapted to hold additional flavor releasing mechanisms 200. It isunderstood that any number of cutouts 114 may be included in anyorientation and/or positional relationship with one another to hold anynumber of flavor releasing mechanisms 200.

Flavor Releasing Mechanisms 200

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 6 , the flavor releasing mechanisms200 include any type of solid, liquid, or gas (and any combinationsthereof) that may release one or more flavors when activated. Themechanisms 200 may be designed to be activated by heat (e.g., duringsmoking), by pressure (e.g., may be squeezed, pricked, or otherwiseexploded, etc.), by other activation techniques, and by any combinationsthereof.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 6 , the flavor releasing mechanisms200 include one or more flavor balls 202 (also referred to as clickballs) comprising a crushable spherical container with a flavoringsubstance inside. The click balls 202 may be adapted to generally burst(or otherwise open) when squeezed thereby releasing the flavoringsubstance. In this way, a user may squeeze a click ball 202 embeddedwithin the insert system 10 when a flavoring is desired during thesmoking experience. While the flavor balls 202 described herein aredescribed primarily as spherical shaped, it is understood that theflavor balls 202 may be formed as an ovoid, a cuboid, a cylinder,pill-shaped, as any other suitable shape, and as any combinationsthereof. It also is understood that the cutout 114 is preferably formedto generally match or at least accommodate the shape of the flavorreleasing mechanism 200 as described herein.

It is understood that any other type(s) and/or shapes of flavorreleasing mechanisms 200 may be used with the insert system 10, and thatthe scope of the insert system 10 is not limited in any way by the typeof flavor releasing mechanism(s) 200 used.

Forming and Using the Insert System

For the purposes of this specification, the forming of the insert system10 using the section 100 and the flavor releasing mechanism 200 will bedescribed primarily with respect to the section 100 embodiment of FIG. 7(i.e., the embodiment of FIG. 3 as described above). However, it isunderstood that the methodology described herein also may be applied toany other embodiment(s) described herein or otherwise.

First, as shown in FIG. 7 , with the section 100 generally flat, thethird side portion 118 is folded upward at the fold line F_(L) in thedirection of the arrow A such that the portion 118 extends upward asshown in FIG. 8 . In some embodiments, the third side portion 118 mayextend upward at an angle of about 45° with respect to the unfoldedportion of the section 100, but it is understood that the third sideportion 118 may be folded at any suitable angle in order for the section100 to perform its functionalities.

Next, the flavor releasing mechanism 200 (e.g., a flavor ball 20) isplaced into the cutout 114. This results in the configuration shown inFIGS. 8 and 9 . FIG. 9 shows the section 100 and flavor ball 202 of FIG.8 taken from the perspective of the arrow B in FIG. 8 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 9 , the first side portion 116 is folded in thedirection of the arrow C resulting in the configuration shown in FIG. 10with the first side portion 116 generally folded over an outer surfaceportion of the flavor ball 202 as shown. This action leaves the secondside portion 117 extending transverse across the flavor ball 202 asshown in FIG. 10 .

The flavor ball 202 and the second side portion 117 (including thefolded first side portion 116) is next folded further along the foldline FL in the direction of the arrow D as shown in FIG. 10 . Thisresults in the configuration shown in FIG. 11 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 11 , the flavor ball 202, the folded first sideportion 116 and the second side portion 117 are rolled in the directionof the arrow E resulting in the configuration shown in FIG. 12 . In thisconfiguration, it is preferable that the right side 104 of the section100 is tucked under the flavor ball 202 between the section 100 and theflavor ball 202 as shown. In this way, the right side 104 is held inplace as originally folded over the ball 202 with the remaining portion120 of the section 100 extending to the left as shown in FIG. 12 .

Next, as shown in FIG. 12 , the combination of the flavor ball 202, thefirst side portion 116, the second side portion 117, and any additionalportion of the section 100 that extends around the outer circumferenceof the flavor ball 202 due to the rolling procedure described above isfurther rolled in the direction of the arrow F until the remainingunfolded portion 120 of the section 100 is rolled around the ball 202forming side walls 122 of the filter 10. This results in the filter 10depicted in FIG. 13 .

As shown in the configuration of FIG. 13 , the rolling of the section100 forming the side walls 122 creates the inner volume 113 within therolled section 100 with the second side portion 117 extending transverseacross the inner volume 113. In addition, the second side portion 117includes a cutout 114 and a flavor ball 202 held therein.

FIG. 14 shows a side view of the filter system 10 of FIG. 13 . As shown,the folding of the second side portion 117 as described herein forms apartition 115 that divides the inner volume 113 into two elongate innercompartments 119, 121 that generally extend from a first open end 123 ofthe insert 10 to a second open end 125 of the insert 10. In thisarrangement, the partition 115 includes at least a portion of the cutout114. Accordingly, with the flavor ball 202 located within the cutout114, the partition holds the flavor ball 202 in place within the innervolume 113.

Given the above, it is preferable that the length of the unfoldedportion 120 of FIG. 12 be sufficient to encircle the flavor ball 202 atleast once so that the sidewalls 122 hold the flavor ball 202 securewithin the rolled up section 100. This may better ensure that the flavorreleasing mechanism 200 is held securely within the cutout 114. However,in other embodiments, it may be sufficient for the unfolded portion 120to only partially encircle the flavor ball 202. In this case, it may bepreferable that the sidewalls 122 encircle at least enough of the flavorball 202 to hold it secure within the resulting filter 10.

It is understood that the actions described above to form an insertsystem 10 using a section 100 and a flavor releasing mechanism 200 aremeant for demonstration and that the method of forming the insert system10 may include other actions not necessarily described, may not includeall of the actions described, and/or any combinations thereof. Forexample, the insert system 10 may be formed a first time withoutinserting the flavor releasing mechanism 200 into the cutout 114 inorder to create an empty insert system 10. The empty insert system 10may then be at least partially unfolded (e.g., the sidewalls 122 may beunwrapped to expose the cutout 114, and to place the flavor releasingmechanism 200 into the cutout 114). The sidewalls 122 may then berewrapped around the flavor releasing mechanism 200 to create the filter10 and to secure the flavor releasing mechanism 200 therein.

In some embodiments as shown in FIG. 15 , once the insert system 10 hasbeen formed as described above or otherwise, it may be used as a tip, amouthpiece, a crutch, a filter, as any type of base for a pre-roll,cone, empty cone, cigarette, other type of smokable, and for anycombinations thereof as known in the art or otherwise. For example, insome embodiments, the insert system 10 may be provided to manufacturersof pre-roll cones and/or cigarettes, of empty cones, etc. to be coupledto these types of products and then sold to consumers. In anotherexample, the insert system 10 may be coupled with a pre-roll cone and/orcigarette, and/or to an empty cone during its manufacturing and made forsale to consumers as the combination. In another example, the insertsystem 10 may be sold directly to consumers such that the consumersthemselves may couple the insert system 10 with a rolling paper to forma cigarette, a cone, an empty cone, or other type of smokable item. Itis understood that the examples described above are meant fordemonstration and are non-limiting. It is notable that FIG. 15 depictstwo flavor release mechanisms 200 embedded within two cutouts 114 in thefilter system 10 to demonstrate that the filter system 10 may include aplurality of flavor release mechanisms 200.

It is understood that any details and/or aspects of any embodimentsdescribed herein may be combined with any details and/or aspects of anyother embodiments in any way to form additional embodiment(s) all ofwhich are within the scope of the filter 10.

Where a process is described herein, those of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that the process may operate without any userintervention. In another embodiment, the process includes some humanintervention (e.g., a step is performed by or with the assistance of ahuman).

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some”means “one or more,” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., thephrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs”, and includes thecase of only one ABC.

As used herein, including in the claims, term “at least one” should beunderstood as meaning “one or more”, and therefore includes bothembodiments that include one or multiple components. Furthermore,dependent claims that refer to independent claims that describe featureswith “at least one” have the same meaning, both when the feature isreferred to as “the” and “the at least one”.

As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So,for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. Inthe context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all ofthe conversation.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “usingat least,” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means“using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word“only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “based on” means“based in part on” or “based, at least in part, on,” and is notexclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “based on factor X” means “based inpart on factor X” or “based, at least in part, on factor X.” Unlessspecifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “based on X”does not mean “based only on X.”

In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word“only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into thatphrase.

As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “atleast partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does notmean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y”means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not meanthat “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including inthe claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs fromY in at least some way.

It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and so on, inthe description and claims, are used to distinguish or identify, and notto show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, letter labels(e.g., “(A)”, “(B)”, “(C)”, and so on, or “(a)”, “(b)”, and so on)and/or numbers (e.g., “(i)”, “(ii)”, and so on) are used to assist inreadability and to help distinguish and/or identify, and are notintended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial ornumerical limitations or orderings. Similarly, words such as“particular,” “specific,” “certain,” and “given,” in the description andclaims, if used, are to distinguish or identify, and are not intended tobe otherwise limiting.

As used herein, including in the claims, the terms “multiple” and“plurality” mean “two or more,” and include the case of “two.” Thus,e.g., the phrase “multiple ABCs,” means “two or more ABCs,” and includes“two ABCs.” Similarly, e.g., the phrase “multiple PQRs,” means “two ormore PQRs,” and includes “two PQRs.”

The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values andranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. areused in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally,substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” or“approximately 3” shall also cover exactly 3 or “substantially constant”shall also cover exactly constant).

As used herein, including in the claims, singular forms of terms are tobe construed as also including the plural form and vice versa, unlessthe context indicates otherwise. Thus, it should be noted that as usedherein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include pluralreferences unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Throughout the description and claims, the terms “comprise”,“including”, “having”, and “contain” and their variations should beunderstood as meaning “including but not limited to”, and are notintended to exclude other components unless specifically so stated.

It will be appreciated that variations to the embodiments of theinvention can be made while still falling within the scope of theinvention. Alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similarpurpose can replace features disclosed in the specification, unlessstated otherwise. Thus, unless stated otherwise, each feature disclosedrepresents one example of a generic series of equivalent or similarfeatures.

The present invention also covers the exact terms, features, values andranges, etc. in case these terms, features, values and ranges etc. areused in conjunction with terms such as about, around, generally,substantially, essentially, at least etc. (i.e., “about 3” shall alsocover exactly 3 or “substantially constant” shall also cover exactlyconstant).

Use of exemplary language, such as “for instance”, “such as”, “forexample” (“e.g.,”) and the like, is merely intended to better illustratethe invention and does not indicate a limitation on the scope of theinvention unless specifically so claimed.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An insert system for use as a mouthpiece to asmokable item and for securing at least one flavor releasing mechanism,the insert system comprising: a section of material including a firstside and a second side opposite the first side, a top side, a bottomside, a front, and a back; at least a portion of the section of materialbetween the top side and the bottom side rolled into a spiral betweenthe first side and the second side about a first axis extending betweenthe top side and the bottom side; an opening in the section of materialpassing from the front to the back; and at least one flavor releasingmechanism located at least partially within the opening cavity. 2.-3.(canceled)
 4. The insert system of claim 1 wherein the insert systembody is conical about the first axis.
 5. The insert system of claim 1wherein the insert system is cylindrical about the first axis.
 6. Theinsert system of claim 1 wherein the flavor releasing mechanismcomprises a sphere filled with flavor material.
 7. The insert system ofclaim 1 wherein the shape of the opening is selected from the group:circular, oval, square, rectangular, parallelogram, opened frustum,trapezoidal, and pill-shaped.
 8. A method of creating an insert for useas a mouthpiece to a smokable item and for securing at least one flavorreleasing mechanism, the method comprising: (A) providing a smokablesection of material including a first side, a second side opposite thefirst side, a top side, a bottom side, a front, and a back; (B) rollingat least a portion of the section of material between the top side andthe bottom side into a spiral between the first side and the second sideabout a first axis extending between the top side and the bottom side;(C) forming an opening in the section of material passing from the frontto the back; and (D) placing at least a portion of at least one flavorreleasing mechanism into the opening. 9.-10. (canceled)
 11. The methodof claim 8 wherein forming an opening in the section of material in (C)includes forming a first aperture in a shape selected from the group:circular, oval, square, rectangular, parallelogram, opened frustum,trapezoidal, and pill-shaped.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein theinsert is conical about the first axis.
 13. The method of claim 8wherein the insert is cylindrical about the first axis.
 14. The methodof claim 8 wherein the flavor releasing mechanism comprises a spherefilled with flavor material.